Natural Born Killers

Synopsis

Mickey Knox and Mallory Wilson aren't your typical lovers - after killing her abusive father, they go on a road trip where, every time they stop somewhere, they kill pretty well everyone around them. They do however leave one person alive at every shootout to tell the story and they soon become a media sensation thanks to sensationalized reporting. Told in a highly visual style.

Mickey Knox and Mallory Wilson aren't your typical lovers - after killing her abusive father, they go on a road trip where, every time they stop somewhere, they kill pretty well everyone around them. They do however leave one person alive at every shootout to tell the story and they soon become a media sensation thanks to sensationalized reporting. Told in a highly visual style.

Tech specs

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by StudlyFoxie 10 / 10

Truly Beautiful Movie and Enjoyable on Many Levels

"Natural Born Killers" in itself is a picture of the ironic tragedy of the
satire. This movie took the media and American culture head on, challenged
it and spoofed it- as a result, American pop culture kicked it up a notch to
become as outrageous as the parody! On top of that, few understood Stone's
film was a satire and instead accused him of promoting violence. This is a
tragedy because "Natural Born Killers" really is a sharp and funny satire
that helped to usher in the 90s with Tarantino's "Pulp
Fiction".

Yes, it's over the top, yes, it's violent, yes, it's flashy, and most of
all, yes, it works! The effect may make you a bit dizzy, it may disturb, and
may even offend, but this is a truly great piece of cinema. Like its great
predecessors, which it freely homages, "In Cold Blood", "Badlands", and
"Bonnie & Clyde", this film is about two killers on the road who are in
love. Unlikely movie stars Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis play Mickey
and Malory. Through a few frantic and imaginative scenes we see them meet,
fall in love, murder Malory's abusive father, and hit the road. These scenes
are instantly unforgettable, bearing a wit that may be overt, but is funny
enough to accept. Meanwhile our heroes become a media sensation thanks to
the TV show "American Maniacs", hosted by Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr. with
a British accent).

It isn't all glitz and blood splatter. Auteur Stone works with (what remains
of) Tarantino's script to make all these characters into real people, and
not symbols or cliches. Character motivation is related mostly through
flashed images and flashbacks (as in "In Cold Blood"). The editing and
superb Richardson camera work relate complex emotional states, as well as
the frenzied mood of the violence. Oliver Stone does have the tendency to be
peachy and over the top, but his strength in portraying sympathetic humanity
over comes his weaknesses.

Under-appreciated actor Tom Sizemore ("True Romance", "Heat") plays
detective Jack Scagnetti, the celebrity homicide cop who pursues and
eventually captures Mickey and Malory (in what has to be one of the best,
most intense arrest scenes in screen history). In the context of this film,
he is a villain, but he is a human being just the same. He leads us into the
second half of this picture, which has Mickey and Malory behind bars
awaiting a big TV interview with Wayne Gale on Superbowl Sunday. Tensions
build to one of the best climaxes a crime or prison movie ever
had.

Rodney Dangerfield, Russell Means, and Tommy Lee Jones put in highly
memorable appearances in supporting roles. On the director's cut DVD we see
cut footage of performances from Ashley Judd (her best work) and Dennis
Leary. "Natural Born Killers" is many great small parts adding up to an even
better whole. All of it is accented and sealed by a very good soundtrack
arranged by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails (who contribute the beautiful "A
Warm Place"). This is a movie you won't soon forget and will likely
enjoy.

I recommend this to fans of Stone, of the movies I mentioned above, of
Tarantino (he didn't approve, but as a fan of his, I did), and to anyone who
is simply curious about it. It'll blow you away, in the good
sense.

"Do you believe in fate?"

Reviewed by Grann-Bach 10 / 10

Cinematic excellence

I haven't seen too many Oliver Stone pictures; JFK, Scarface(which he wrote, not directed), and this one. I don't know too much about his directorial style, but if any of his other films are like this one, I'll have to watch more of them. The visual style is amazing. The whole film has sort of a psychedelic visual style, and utilizes constant cuts and constant change in color scheme, often changing between powerful green, blue, red and even black/white. Of course, none of this is random. It's there to project symbolism and keep the mood intense and constantly evolving, and, believe me, it works perfectly. With many references to popular media(television, mainly), demons and the desensitizing effect of television. The effect of half of the imagery being seen through a television screen or hallucinated is amazing. The film is experimental and psychological. As Stone puts it in the documentary, it's a film about two people breaking the rules, so it's only fitting that the film-makers are also breaking the rules. It's chaotic and wild, insane and mentally exhausting. It's a film about pain, violence and giving in to cravings and desires. But it in no way romanticizes the aforementioned three points. Quite the opposite. I believe someone once told me that the film makes killing and violence look appealing. I can't even explain how wrong that is. This truly is an amazing film. If you can sit through this, and you (honestly) think of yourself as perceptive and intelligent, you have to see this movie. It's not just recommended or a good idea to watch, it's mandatory for anyone that 'get' it. The plot is great and well-paced. It's never boring. The acting is great. The characters are well-written, credible and so easy to understand and sympathize with that many will hate the film for it. The whole film is amazing on so many levels. I recommend it to any person who believes himself or herself to be hardened and intelligent enough to sit through it, and, more importantly, understand it. I recommend you get the directors cut, as it keeps everything that the other released version cut off. Highly recommendable. 10/10